Lisa, I do not know about other states, in fact, I'd never heard of this in Colorado. However, in Virginia, the school districts submit JUST a number at the end of the census. The number is inclusive of all children counted between the ages of 5-19 within the county--whether they are public school, private school, homeschool, or out of school. The public schools, obviously, cooperate. The school districts also coordinate to make sure that students from out of a county (district?) are counted within their proper place. All private schools of any size cooperate; I don't recall if there are very small ones that may be more reluctant. The school district can also ask your neighbors (and do!) if they know of any children that aren't being counted. It is my understanding that someone else can advise your district about your children and they can be counted that way. A few months ago, I had a 20 minute or so VERY friendly discussion with our local school administrator in charge of this on this exact topic. It was not within the context of us hsing though, just a general conversation that came about. Someone else commented about the expense. My district HIRES a part time person at 25 hours a week for ~ three months to coordinate all the info and come up with the final head count.

We used to buy the big 40? oz. bag of Starbucks at Sam's for ~$18. Based on Consumer Reports (just because we wanted something cheaper), we now buy Eight O'Clock at Walmart, 12 oz. bag for about $4. On a funny note, Consumer Reports rated Starbucks at the bottom of the taste test. I use enough creamer that I can't tell the difference WHAT kind of coffee I'm drinking, but dh drinks it black.

Well, I did, just because I'm happy to let the school district have more money. (No sarcasm!) That said, I'd be less agreeable if my school district used tactics that I found offensive. This is the first year we've lived in VA, and I'm not thrilled with what I've heard about the districts and hsers in general. But I'm *trying*--and almost expecting to regret it...

I hope I'm not hijacking... Lisa, I continue to be surprised by how many people here follow very specific boxed curriculum. It's just not anything I've experienced before moving here. I also talk to a lot of moms who believe they MUST follow a state approved curriculum (which is just one narrow interpretation of the VA hs law). There are a few WTMers around, but they are far--you, lol, and a few up near Lynchburg and Charlottesville. I've also met a few classical hsers near VT (thanks to catinblack). But it's so unusual that it's really memorable. Classical Conversations is big, although I'd never heard of it in Colorado. In the past, I've said that we "loosely follow TWTM." But no one here knows WHAT TWTM is. :confused:

I've always liked "head ich." Dd called her pacifier "num num," and to our whole family's embarrassment, dh and I STILL call them "num nums" today.

Last week, Simon thought David C. could do no wrong. This week, he got trashed. Okay, I may be old enough to be DC's mom, but whenever he sings, he makes my tummy jump. And other things. LOL.

Wow, new boards. I usually only come here in the summer. We'll be in Raleigh, NC for one day this summer, and I saw that the Dead Sea Scrolls will be at the Natural History Museum. Would it be interesting enough for my 13yodd and 9yods? Thanks! Kristine